Community backlash looks to have ended a proposal to charge for parking on sections of the Great Ocean Road.
The state government had put the idea out for community consultation earlier this week, with the website page since taken down.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action had said it was looking to introduce the parking fees on public land including the Twelve Apostles and Shipwreck Coast.
Money raised was set to be used for ‘maintenance and improved facilities’ along the iconic road.
It didn’t take long for the idea to face fierce community backlash, with Polwarth M-P Richard Riordan labelling it a ‘desperate’ cash grab.
“It’s a result of badly managed funds along the Great Ocean Road,” Mr Riordan said.
“(The state government) have run out of cash and they’re desperate to find way to pay it.
“Sadly, the people who use the road the most, the locals, the people in the are going to pay the most.”
Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said on Wednesday she was told the visitor parking charge wouldn’t be happening.
“We won’t be doing that is what I’m told.”
